Pancreatic Cancer Hope
Researchers have discovered a chemical compound that could be an effective therapy for pancreatic cancer. It reduces the growth of cancerous tumours in the pancreas by 80 percent in treated mice.
The compound — MM41 — was designed to block faulty genes. It appears to do this by targeting little knots in their DNA called quadruplexes, especially found in faulty genes. ‘This research provides a potentially very powerful alternative approach to the way that conventional drugs tackle pancreatic cancer — by targeting a very specific area of the DNA of faulty genes,’ said led researcher Stephen Neidle, professor at University College London. Neidle said that although these results are exciting, MM41 is not ideal for trialling in humans and further refinements are needed.’We are now working to optimise this class of compounds, but it is clearly worthy of further investigation for potential use in treating pancreatic cancer in people,’ he said.
Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal of any common cancer. Researchers have estimated that only three in every 100 people diagnosed will live for five years or more and this survival rate has barely improved in the last 40 years.The majority of patients are diagnosed too late for surgery — currently the only potentially curative treatment — and 80 percent of those who have surgery will witness the cancer return, the study noted.
For the study, the researchers conducted a small-scale trial, treating two groups of eight mice with pancreatic tumours with different doses of MM41 twice a week for 40 days (12 doses). A control group received no treatment. The tumours, in the group given the larger dose, decreased by an average of 80 percent during the treatment period. Analysis of the mice tumours showed that the MM41 compound had been taken up into the nucleus of the cancer cells, showing that it was able to effectively target the pancreatic cancer tumour. The team also saw no significant side effects on the mice during the study: there was no damage to other tissue or organs, and none of the mice showed any significant weight loss. more
The compound — MM41 — was designed to block faulty genes. It appears to do this by targeting little knots in their DNA called quadruplexes, especially found in faulty genes. ‘This research provides a potentially very powerful alternative approach to the way that conventional drugs tackle pancreatic cancer — by targeting a very specific area of the DNA of faulty genes,’ said led researcher Stephen Neidle, professor at University College London. Neidle said that although these results are exciting, MM41 is not ideal for trialling in humans and further refinements are needed.’We are now working to optimise this class of compounds, but it is clearly worthy of further investigation for potential use in treating pancreatic cancer in people,’ he said.
Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal of any common cancer. Researchers have estimated that only three in every 100 people diagnosed will live for five years or more and this survival rate has barely improved in the last 40 years.The majority of patients are diagnosed too late for surgery — currently the only potentially curative treatment — and 80 percent of those who have surgery will witness the cancer return, the study noted.
For the study, the researchers conducted a small-scale trial, treating two groups of eight mice with pancreatic tumours with different doses of MM41 twice a week for 40 days (12 doses). A control group received no treatment. The tumours, in the group given the larger dose, decreased by an average of 80 percent during the treatment period. Analysis of the mice tumours showed that the MM41 compound had been taken up into the nucleus of the cancer cells, showing that it was able to effectively target the pancreatic cancer tumour. The team also saw no significant side effects on the mice during the study: there was no damage to other tissue or organs, and none of the mice showed any significant weight loss. more
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@Radha Kadam thanks for the cambridge link. Though I underwent Gemsitabane/Abraxane combination therapy, I was not told it was experimental. But i knew the Doctor is a good man and may be conducting clinical trials. But I knew Abraxane was discovered by a US national of Chinese origin and read his personal blog and was convinced about the combination therapy. I also knew it was not approved in UK while it was approved in USA> Whatever. I was diagonised in Nov 2012 and I was trying to go into pallative care due to pain and vomitting and when this option was offered I took it and thank God for it because it stopped my pain and vomitting and I felt fine after nearly 79 rounds of weekly chemo through IV. After the PET scan in oct 2014 revelaed that this combination was not working, I switched to Xeloda and this was also stopped in May 2015 after I found it is not working.But I am taking the tablets inspite of advice against by eminent doctors on my own with Graviola leaves decaution and so far I have survived. Many in the hospital used to call me Chemo champ as they found it difficult to find veins and Ihave to have chemo port. But for a fall I had recently due to slipping, I am fine but for minor troubles.Prayers work here and I thank all those near and dear ones due to which I am alive without pain and major symptoms. more
Dec 01
Thank you so much sir for the valuable information on symptoms-the lady I spoke about also used to talk of loss of appetite, indigestion etc-in fact her face showed yellow colouration-even before she was diagnosed-Docs suspected gall-bladder infection. Sir dont worry, you will live to avail enhanced pension. I will also pray for you from today!Being eligible for pension itself is a huge blessing in today's India. Proof God is taking care of you. Can understand you agony, with regards to your child. God will show a way there too. Pranaams to you Sir. more
Dec 01
http://www.cambridge-pcc.org/trials.html Captain Samuhanand - your comment led me to research a bit. Where do these trials stand? more
Dec 01
